Canopy for children&#39;s play devices



Dec. 22, 1936. B. H. KENNEDY 2,065,225

CANOPY FOR CHILDRENS PLAY DEVICES Filed NOV. 16, 1935 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 22, 1936 Umts STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to canopies and While not necessarily restricted to such use, the same is primarily designed as a sun shade for childrens play devices or pens, sand boxes and the like.

The invention broadly comprehends a canopy including a flexible top and a supporting structure therefor adapted to be removably associated with a play pen or similar device.

The invention further resides in a canopy of the indicated character which includes a knockdown supporting structure so constructed and arranged as to permit of the ready setting up and assembly of the same with the Canopy top and the play device, and the removal and disassembly thereof for collapsing into a compact arrangement for storage and shipment.

More specifically the invention provides a canopy Vof the character set forth and for the purpose specified in which the supporting structure consists of a pair of side frames each including pivotally connected resilient cross arms having means engageable with the play device for mounting said side frames thereon so as to bind and limit the pivotal movement of the frame arms and stretcher elements detachably engageable with the upper ends of the frame arms and removably associated with the canopy top so as to support the same in a taut condition.

The invention further includes means carried 3o by the side frames and engageable with the play device for securing the canopy in associated relation therewith and for tensioning and retaining the frame arms so as to render the structure rigid when in applied position.

The invention further embodies in a canopy of the type specied, a side curtain including means for connecting the lower edge to the play device.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a canopy of this character which embodies but few and simple parts capable of economical production and which is highly eilicient for its intended purpose.

With the above enumerated and other more detailed objects in View, reference is now made to the following specication and accompanying drawing in which there is set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, while the claims cover other modifications which fall within their scope.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a canopy constructed in accordance with the invention illustrating the same 'in set up applied position on a play device.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken approximately on the line indicated at 2 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the side frames in partially collapsed condition,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View of one 5 of the stretcher elements.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, the canopy includes a top 5 of flexible material such as canvas, duck or the like and which is of a size and shape conforming generally to the top plan configuration of the play device or pen A. At two of its opposite marginal edges, the top 5 is formed with tunnels 6 and 'I which may be formed by turning over and hemming the edge 8 thereof and by applying thereto a separate strip 9. The separate strip 9 is usually employed where it is desired to provide a side curtain Ill as a continuation of the top 5.

The supporting structure for the canopy top 5 consists of side frames designated generally by the reference character l I and each of which includes a pair of cross arms I2 and I3 pivotally connected as at I4 intermediate the ends so that the same may be swung from a substantially aligned collapsed position to an open supporting position. The lower ends of the arms I2 and I3 are respectively provided with inwardly offset hooked terminals I 5 and I 6 which are disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the side frame, whereby said terminals engage over the upper rail or edge B of a side of the play device adjacent the juncture of said side with the adjoining sides respectively to abut with and bind against said adjoining sides in order to limit the spreading of the lower ends when the frames are applied to the play device. The upper ends of the arms I2 and I3 are respectively provided with inwardly directed extremities I'I and I8.

The supporting structure further includes a pair of stretcher rods I9 which are of a length equal to the length of the canopy top 5 and which are adapted to be inserted respectively in the tunnels 6 and 'I thereof to render the opposite side edges of the top rigid longitudinally when in applied relation thereto. The opposite ends of the stretcher rods I9 are formed with sockets 20 for the reception of the extremities I1 and I8 of the side frame arms I2 and I3, which extremities are inserted in the sockets after the stretcher rods have been emplaced in the tunnels. 50

In order to provide means for securing the canopy in place on the play device and to stretch and retain the top in a taut condition, each of the side arms I I is provided with a lashing strap 2| Which is anchored thereto at the pivotal conneetion I4 and which is designed to be looped about the side upper rail B of the play device and retained in place by means of any suitable form of buckle 22. Due to the fact that the side :arms I2 and I3 are of a resilient nature, the tightening of the lashing straps 2| will cause the side arms to buckle slightly thereby spreading the terminals I'I and I8 and the stretcher rods I9, as shown in full lines in Fig. l of the drawing.

In order to secure the side curtain in a stretched Vertical condition, the same is preferably provided with lashing straps 23 which are looped about the upper rails B and secured in adjusted position by any suitable form of buckling 24.

When not in use, it is obvious that the arms I2 and I3 of the side arms I I may be collapsed to a folded substantially parallel position and the side frames, together with the stretcher rods I9, may be rolled in the top and curtain to a compact arrangement for Storage and shipment.

What is claimed is:

l. A canopy for a childs play pen including a pair of stretcher rods removably associated with opposite side edges of. a flexible top and a pair of supporting frames each including a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms detachably connected with opposite ends of the stretcher rods, and means on the lower end of each of said arms for embracingly engaging the upper edge of a side of the play pen.

2. A Canopy for a childs play pen including a. pair of stretcher rods removably associated with opposite side edges of a flexible top and a pair of. supporting frames each including a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms detachably connected with opposite ends of the stretcher rods, means on the lower end of each of said arms for embracingly engaging the upper edge of a. side of the play pen, the means at the lower ends of the sid-e arms of each supporting frame Ibeing adapted to abut with opposing sides of the play pen and lashing means connected with each i rame at the point of. pivotal connection of the arms for engaging with a side of the play pen to secure the canopy thereto and for exerting a pull cn the frame to spread the upper ends of the arms so as to render the top taut. Y

3. A canopy for a childs play pen including a pair of stretcher rods removably associated with opposite side edges of a flexible top, and a pair of supporting frames each including a pair of pivotally connected crossed resilient arms detachably connected with opposite ends of the stretcher rods, means on the lower end of each of said arms for embracingly engaging the upper edge of a side of the play p-en, the means at the lower ends of the side arms of each supporting frame being adapted to abut with opposing sides of the play pen and lashing means connected with each frame at the point of pivotal connection of. the arms for engaging with a side of the play pen to secure the canopy thereto and for exerting a pull on the frame to spread the upper ends of the arms so as to render the top taut.

4. A canopy for a childs play pen including a pair of stretcher rods removably associated with opposite side edges of. a exible top and a pair of supporting frames each including a pair of pivotally connected crossed resilient arms detachably connected 'with opposite ends of the stretcher rods, and means on the lower end of each of said arms for embracingly engaging the upper edge of a side of the play pen, the means at the lower ends of the side arms of each supporting frame being adapted to abut with opposing sides of the play pen and lashing means connected with each frame at the point of pivotal connection of the arms for engaging with a side of the play pen to secure the canopy thereto and for tensioning the frames so as to produce a bowing of the same and thereby spread the upper ends of the arms to render the top taut.

5. A canopy for a childs play pen including a pair of stretcher rods removably associated with opposite side edges of a flexible top and a pair of supporting frames each including a pair of pivotally connected crossed arms respectively detachably connected with opposite ends of the stretcher rods and having inwardly directed hooked lower ends for embracingly engaging the upper edges of the sides of the play pen.

6. In a canopy for a childs play device, a supporting structure for a flexible top comprising longitudinal stretcher rods located on opposite sides of the top and a pair of oppositely disposed side framesbetween the upper ends of Which the stretcher rods are removably supported, each of said side frames having at the lower end thereof means engageable with the play device for mounting the frame thereon. Y

7. In a canopy for a childs play device, a supporting structure for a flexible top comprising longitudinal stretcher rods located on opposite sides of the top and a pair of oppositely disposed side frames between the upper ends of which the stretcher rods are removably supported, each of said side frames having at the lower end thereof means -engageable with the playV device for mounting the frame thereon, and means engageable with the side frames and with the play device for securing the canopy in associated relation therewith and for tensioning the side frames to render the top taut.

8. In a canopy for a childs play device, a supporting' structure for a flexible top comprising longitudinal stretcher rods located on opposite sides of the top and a pair of oppositely disposed sid-e frames by the upper ends of which the stretcher rods are supported, each' of said side frames having at the lower end thereof means engageable with the play device for mounting the frame thereon, and means engageable with the side frames and with the play device for securing the canopy in associated relation therewith and for tensioning the side frames to render the top taut.

BENJAMIN H. KENNEDY. 

